A Fatal Desire [Completed]

03

Chapter Three

EPHRAIM

I am sitting on the hood of my car while facing the pile of rocks that was excavated earlier as governments project for road widening. I heave a deep sigh before throwing the cigarette butt. I strengthen my arms and look above the sky.

Instead of going home, I choose to stay here at the road side. I wanted to think and clear my mind for a moment. I want to deny it but my heart is telling me that I am worried about Vigénere's disappearance.
Ilang araw na itong wala at kapag tinatanong ko si Zerron tungkol dito, hindi siya sumasagot ng matino. Naalala ko pa ang sinabi niya sa akin kahapon.

"Zero, alam mo ba kung saan si V?"

"She's somewhere"

"Saan nga?"

"Making a compost pit"

"What?! Anong compost pit? Anong gagawin niya do'n"

"Of course, it's for disposing biodegradable materials that would be great as soil fertilizer. Don't be dumb, Ephraim"

I lean against my car and yawn. Ako pa talaga ang bobo. Alam ko naman kung ano ang compost pit at kung para saan iyon pero ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung saan iyon gagamitin ni V. Hindi naman naghahalaman iyon. Nakakatimang talaga si Zero.

"Where are you V?" I murmured.

I put my both hands inside my pocket then stared at the distance. Alam kong kinain ko rin ang sinabi ko noon na hindi ako magkakagusto sa katulad niya. Wala akong magagawa, puso ko na ang nagdikta.

I heard a curse coming from someone. I notice a silhouette running to the opposite side of the road. My forehead creased as I saw a woman. She's wearing an over-all black suit. Curiosity envelops my mind as I saw that she's holding her arm and she's hobblingㅡ maybe because of an injury?

The woman stop when she finally reaches the other side of the road. Palinga-linga ito at tila pumipili ito ng daan kung saan siya tutungo. I stood right behind my car and hid under the tree's shadow. I knew that she didn't notice my presence since she's too preoccupied of something.

Malapit na ang babae sa kinaroroonan ko ng mapansin ko ang dalawang lalaki na nanggaling rin sa pinanggalingan ng niya. May mga hawak itong baril. Shit. Napayuko ako saka sinilip silang lahat.

"Dito siya dumaan!" The other guy shouted and motioned his arm signaling his companions. "Bilisan niyo, hindi pa 'yon nakakalayo!"

One thing came up to my mindㅡthey're after this woman. Are they planning to abduct her? When she didn't notice my presence, I immediately grab her arm and automatically covered her mouth to prevent her from shouting.

I drag her to the place which was covered with bushes. Sabay kaming natumba sa damuhan ng mapatid ako ng isang bato. I am on top of her. I can feel her warm breath on my face and I can also hear her heartbeat. Sinuportahan ko ang sarili para hindi siya maipit.

I pinned her to the ground while still covering her mouth when I hear their footsteps. Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niya. I can't see her face because the place is dark and some of her hair were covering her face. I can feel that she's trying to loosen from my grip but I didn't let her.

"Shhh" I whispered.

I peek through the bushes and I saw three men are searching the whole area carefully. They even look inside my car. Mabuti na lang at hindi ko naisipan na doon kami magtago.